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THE 'AMATEUR IDEAL' - VICTORIAN VALUES
Victorians introduced ethics that reflected Upper Class values, reinforced in the Public Schools of the late 1800’s / early 1900’s.
Sport was associated with morality, linked with muscular Christianity and part of being a ‘gentleman’.
Sport was also played to develop ‘manliness’ and not for rewards.
Taking part honourably was thought to be far more important than winning: it was far better to lose honourably than to win by cheating.
There was no such thing as ‘win at all costs’
Games were linked with fair play and sportsmanship.
Fair Play - Treating your opponent as an equal and abiding by the rules.
Sportsmanship - Conforming to the written rules, accepted etiquette and unwritten rules of the sport.
Unwritten rules - the ‘spirit of the game’ – values and ethics we expect players to observe
Games were not taken too seriously
Honesty was always reinforced as the best policy
Courage & determination were applauded
Gentlemanly behaviour was important – manners, courtesy and respect for opponents- the ‘spirit of the game’ and respect for rules.
DOWNLOADTHE 'AMATEUR IDEAL'
This clip from the film 'Chariots of Fire' highglights the values held by the middle/upper classes that shaped the rules of Amateur sport at the end of the 19th Century. The Cambridge professor tells Harold Abrahams (athlete) off for being too professional and not sticking to good old-fashioned Amateur ideals. (He is accused of being too professional because he employs a coach !!). Note the link between upper class values and what is considered to be the 'proper way' to play sport - to not try too hard, to not be too professional, to stick within the rules and not really be seen to try, to not place too much of an emphasis on trying to win at all costs.